THE SPOTLIGHT WAS ON BEAUTY AND BRAINS AT THE COLLEGE ROUNDS OF P.C. CHANDRA GOLDLITES DIVA, IN ASSOCIATION WITH T2

Koneenica Banerjee with Somorita Barua

When: January 22
Where: Jadavpur University

Vivekananda Hall of Jadavpur University welcomed 14 fresh faces to battle through three rounds for a crack at the crown of P.C. Chandra Goldlites Diva, an inter-college competition in association with t2, which is looking for the next face of P.C. Chandra Jewellers.

The preliminary round (called Only Introduction) shortlisted seven girls, who appeared for the “Ethnic and Question-Answer” round, flaunting jewellery sponsored by P.C.Chandra.

The last round fired questions, which the finalists smartly tackled and comparative literature student Somorita Barua walked away with the crown. “This is the first time I’ve been exposed to a platform like this and I’m happy to represent my university for the final round,” said Somorita. Sreya Lahiri and Sriparna Amin emerged the first and second runners-up respectively.

Actress Koneenica Banerjee and Kakoli Sengupta of JU judged the contest. Koneenica said, “The girls are young and lovely, and they had friends cheering them on. And there was all this music, noise and excitement… it was so much fun.”

Alokananda Roy with
Arunima Bhadra

When: January 22
Where: Lady Brabourne College

At Lady Brabourne College, Arunima Bhadra, a first-year political science student, emerged winner while Zarnain Jahangir and Soumi Das were announced first and second runners-up respectively. Dancer Alokananda Roy was the celebrity judge who chose the winners based on their intellect, walk and presentation.

The theme for the first round was western wear and it saw 14 participants walk the ramp. On the basis of their walk, seven participants were shortlisted who strutted their stuff in saris, sporting P.C. Chandra jewellery. The question-answer session (each was asked a different question) decided the final five. In the final round they had to answer a common question.

The winner and the two runners-up took home privilege coupons worth Rs 5,000, Rs 2,000 and Rs 1,000. “Being the only judge I had to make the correct decision... They were all beautiful,” smiled Alokananda. The winner was over the moon. “This was so unexpected. My friends forced me to participate in the contest,” gushed Arunima.

Agnimitra Paul with
Sreya Samanta

When: January 23
Where: National Institute of Fashion Technology

The spotlight shifted to National Institute of Fashion Technology on Wednesday.

In the first round, 17 beautiful contestants hit the ramp in western wear. And in the judge’s chair was designer Agnimitra Paul, who shortlisted 10 participants for the traditional wear round. The selected contestants, who sported P.C. Chandra jewellery, were individually asked questions and their answers decided the list of five participants who made it to the final round.

The finalists were given the same question but they had only one-and-a-half minutes to give that “winning” answer. Sreya Samanta was declared winner while Camelia Das and Kanishka Aggarwal were first and second runners-up.

The winner was awarded a Rs 5,000 privilege coupon and, more importantly (like in the other college-level rounds), an entry to the inter-college level of the contest. “I have stage fright. But now, I am brimming with happiness,” said Sreya, second-year student of the textile design department.

The first and second runners-up were given privilege coupons worth Rs 2,000 and Rs 1,000. “The contest was absolutely entertaining as both the contestants as well as the audience were full of energy. I was looking for a beautiful face and how she would look in front of the camera. But I must say, all of them were extremely smart,” smiled Agnimitra.